Born and raised in Gothenburg, Sweden, of Argentine parents, 25 year-old José González is a rising star in Scandinavia, with the world at his feet. A top ten chart artist and revered modern troubadour figure in Sweden, he is cherished equally by the musical cognoscenti, seriously besotted critics and hordes of regular Nordic punters. José sings meticulously crafted songs that are mesmerizing, adroit and instantly classic-sounding, ushering the listener into a hushed, spell-like intimacy. Using just his own dextrously finger-picked classical guitar and a captivating voice - part João Gilberto, part Paul Simon - José's music is as economical as it is seductive, stark but effortlessly melodious songwriting whose confessional, gently provocative lyrics (all sung in perfect English) are, by turns, poignant, intriguing and life-affirming. Recorded with the minimum of fuss at home on basic equipment, the eleven songs that grace Veneer, José's bewitching debut album, blend sophisticated Latin passion with almost Bergman-esque moments of luminous stillness. Track 2, 'Remain' is a case in point, a sophisticated marriage of lovely, lithe, bossa guitar rhythms and desolate, haiku-like lyrical imagery. The heart-swelling 'Heartbeats', meanwhile, underscores lyrical epiphany with darting, quicksilver guitar figures, while the musically terse and hypnotic 'Hints' refines the mechanics of personal relationships down to a poetic quintessence. The almost hymnal 'Deadweight On Velveteen' ("uncover the mystery, tell everyone what you see") is another insular intoxication , while the deftly picked, exquisitely sung 'Stay In The Shade' would (literally) not have sounded out of place on Nick Drake's Bryter Later. José's eclectic influences include the late Elliot Smith, flamenco, Joy Division, and Brazilian bossa nova …and Veneer contains traces of all these, along with undeniable echoes of Will Oldham and Tim Buckley and the aforementioned Drake and Simon. Yet, across an album's-worth of intimate episodes José's achievement is to nod to these antecedents while fashioning a sublimely emotional signature that is undeniably all his own - a unique and compelling new addition to the singer-songwriter firmament José González's private-yet- universal music, once heard, is impossible to shake off and Veneer seems destined to become the lean, serene soundtrack to spring 2005 - and way, way beyond.

Veneer made an indelible mark in its understated, expressive brilliance and cemented José González as a meticulous sonic craftsman and songwriter of singular talent. It’s hard to believe an album recorded with the most basic equipment in a cramped Gothenburg flat could end up going platinum, not only in Sweden but also the UK, selling well over 1 million copies worldwide. It’s harder still when one acknowledges that, aside from one brief trumpet solo and the slightest hint of percussion, the record features just one hushed voice and the dexterous picking of an acoustic guitar’s nylon strings. But 2003’s Veneer was such an album, charting in several countries in the world, and eventually making Top 10 in the UK thanks in part to its delicate, evocative cover of The Knife’s “Heartbeats”.

Praise for José González:
Magical... a supreme talent, reminiscent of the late Arthur Russell The Guardian
Veneer draws you in, it’s easy to believe that the young Swede could begin his own cult The Times
Spine-tingling The Sunday Times
Jose Gonzalez really is a rare find The Times (live review)
Gorgeous, in a word Observer Music Monthly
A fresh and intriguing talent The Independent
Affecting soulful poignancy, a quietly impressive debut The Daily Telegraph
Enormous talent The Sunday Telegraph
An intense talent Time Out
In a world of musical clones, the Argentinian Swede is a thrillingly original new talent The Sun
It's an exquisite, almost solemn privilege to be invited into Gonzalez's world Metro
Extraordinary Uncut
The most intimate music you’ll hear all year Q
Dark, still, yet oddly powerful Mojo
Wonderfully accomplished... a serious talent to watch out for, this year and beyond Clash
Jawdroppingly special, a rare talent Fact